1. Understanding the Right-of-Way Process
Matthew Witt
Right-of-Way Services Manager
INDOT Fort Wayne District
June 14, 2017

2. Overview of ROW Process
Real Estate Services
Appraising
Review Appraiser – Prepare Appraisal Problem Analysis
Determine type of appraisal needed
Outline specific issues to address
Appraiser – Prepare Appraisal
Determine and value cost to cures
State highest and best use
Specify personal vs. real property
Research current comparable sales in area
Assign value for property

3. Overview of ROW Process
Review Appraiser – Review Appraisal, recommend, accept or reject
Typically same person that does APA
Buying
Right-of-Way Agent
Prepare offer based on approved appraisal
Negotiate with property owners (Owner has 30 days to review offer)
Prepare and obtain signatures for necessary documentation to convey property & to arrange payment

4. Overview of ROW Process
Reviewer (INDOT)
Forward on to Office of Real Estate for approval prior to sending to Attorney General
Ensures procedures have been followed without errors
Forwards to Deputy Attorney General office for legal review
Relocation – Concurrent with Buying Process
Documents inventory for moving
Determines moving payment & housing or re-establishment eligibility, if any
Provides advisory services
Performs move inspection & notifies that ROW is clear for Relocation purposes

5. Overview of ROW Process
Property Management
District Office
Secure acquired properties
Asbestos inspection
Demolition contracts/auction
Maintain until contractor takes responsibility
Central Office
Coordinate payment and closing of transaction
Manage document recording, paying taxes
Track cleared properties for certification
Track excess land for resale

6. Overview of ROW Process

7. Review for ROW Item Conflicts
Review all clearing items needed for each utility
Review cost to cure items, demolition items, etc.
If  contract clearing will not be in time, then get utility to add these into its work if they are reimbursable
If utility is not reimbursable, then coordinate with designer for clearing options
Request  septic and well locations from designer and review against utility relocations

8. Coordinate with ROW Manager
Right-of-way manager duties
Right of entry to include utility work and inquire with utility to see if it will work under right of entry
Constant communication with Right-of-Way manager and request to be included on Right-of-Way status reports
Utility easements for relocation
Coordinate with utility to expedite
Provide plat and descriptions to utilities
Coordinate with utility for land values
Combine ROW and easement offer process
Perform ROW staking for utility relocation work

9. Identify Critical Path & Parcels
Review critical path and critical parcels for each utility
Discuss with ROW manager in case this should impact ROW critical path
Create utility master map to show this and share with ROW manager, design team, INDOT utility project manager, and INDOT project manager
Communication with project manager so that project manager can communicate with real estate and others
Accelerating a parcel

10. Examples & Questions?